Thanks for all the well wishes. I literally cried reading this thread to my wife. I am especially touched by The Chief's support, a MAN I have enormous respect for, but unfortunately have not met.

Josh, you always come up with the most inspirational quotes. One that sticks with me is "Do no wish for easier lives, wish to be stronger men". JFK. Love that one.

For those interested in my condition, I have Job's Syndrome, AKA Hyper Ig E syndrome. This rare immunodeficiency is why I have problems with infections. The antifungals I am currently taking burned my skin off, painfully, which is what landed me in the hospital again.

For the record, MVS and I did North Ridge of Forbidden in more like 15 hours . I recall our climb of Orbit, a climb that earned one skull in the old guidebook due to ambivalent protection on a pitch or two. MVS did great. His humble attitude belied an alpine demon . His enchainment in the Pickects stands out as one of his great acheivements in the Cascades, certainly better than anything I had done in that difficult, deep, dark range. Athough MVS and I are continents apart, I will always condier him one of my great friends.

I've found these words to be true regardless of the challenges life may bring us.

"Everyday you make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever lengthening, ever ascending, ever more challenging path. You think you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, far from discouraging, only adds to the glory and joy of the climb." Sir Winston Churchill

All the best to you, Sir.

"When you travel, if you avoid the people, reject the food, ignore the customs, and fear the religion..... you might as well stay home" James A. Michener

Thanks all, and especially to MVS who started this thread and also followed with a beautiful, personal email. I have to say that this experience has been the lowest point in my life, and MVS's and everyone else's well wishes certainly lifted my spirits. Thanks to all.

And to the young, ambitious, strong climbers out there: be safe, you only get one body in this life and there is no return policy. Or maybe there is with reincarnation, I don't actually know.